TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite - In its effort to deliver extension and training opportunities to various stakeholders, the Agricultural Training Institute in CALABARZON continues to offer free seminars, this time on Beekeeping.

The growing interest of the agriculture enthusiasts in by products of beekeeping such as honey and bees wax as a prospective enterprise called the need for a public awareness on the beekeeping industry. Since 2018, the Center has been conducting free seminars in response to the public's clamor.

In his discussion, Dr. Pedro Jose De Castro, Professor IV from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) in Lucena City, underscored that honey is the cheapest by product in beekeeping. Other excellent reasons to engage in this industry are to increase ecological awareness and engage in a farming enterprise that do not need land ownership.

Dr. De Castro focused his lecture on the biology and behavior of native honey bees such as "Laywan" and "Lukot" as well as the types of hives. Some of these are Log, Clay, Box and Langstroth hive. He likewise offered alternative houses made from indigenous materials such as "bao" or coconut shell and UPLB-TPH 1 (Tetragonula Pollination Hive) to farmers who want to venture in this industry with a much lower capital.

Dr. De Castro believes that there are endless opportunities in beekeeping. "Hindi po namin ipagdadamot ang technology. We need engagement, sana dumami pa ang mag-alaga sa Pilipinas" he said.

This one day lecture on beekeeping is the second free seminar offering of the Center in 2019, held last February 12 at the ATI RTC IVA Training Hall.